Flexible trailer splash and stone shield

ABSTRACT

A shield assembly is disclosed in which a pair of shield members are pivoted in a bracket mounted on the trailer frame for movement between rearward and forward positions, the shield members normally being biased into the forward position by springs. In alternative arrangements purposed, the shield members are mounted on connecting rods biased forwardly in a cylinder or cylinders by coil springs.

United States Patent [191 Bruce et al.

[ 1 July 17,1973

2221 Filed:

[ FLEXIBLE TRAILER SPLASH AND STONE sIIIELI) Apr. 10, 1972 21 Appl. No.;242,614

[52] US. Cl 280/l54.5 R, 280/505, 293/69 [51] Int. Cl.. B60m 27/00, B62d25/18, B62d 65/00 [58] Field of Search 280/1545, 505;

Boysen 280/1545 R Sullivan 280/1545 R Primary Examiner-Gerald M.Forlenza Assistant ExaminerHoward Beltran Attorney-Kellard A. Carter[57] ABSTRACT A shield assembly is disclosed in which a pair of shieldmembers are pivoted in a bracket mounted on the trailer frame formovement between rearward and forward positions, the shield membersnormally being biased into the forward position by springs. lnalternative arrangements purposed, the shield members are mounted onconnecting rods biased forwardly ina cyl [56] 1 References Cited inderor cylinders by coil springs.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,640,7l4 6/1953 Garner, et a1 280/1545 R 11Claims, 6 Drawing Figures I9 5 I7 9 I7 9 c? PAENTEU 5 3.746.366

sum 1 or 2 I PAIENIEB JUL 1 1 ms sum 2 or 2 1 FLEXIBLE TRAILER SPLASHAND STONE SHIELD The invention relates to a splash and stone guardassembly for a trailer body.

The invention provides a splash and stone shield assembly for a trailerbody, comprising at least one shield member, support means for mountingthe or each shield member on a frame portion ofthe trailer forwardly ofthe trailer body and for movement relative to the trailer between arearward retracted position and a forward shielding position andresilient means for nor mally urging the or each shield member into theforward position.

Various embodiments of this invention will now be described withreferenceto the accompanying drawings in which,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the front end of a trailer incorporating ashield assembly according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an elevation on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan viewin greater detail'of the central portion of theshieldassembly,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of thefront end of a trailerincorporating amodified version of the shield assembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 3,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the front end of a trailer showing analternative form of shield assembly according to'the invention and,

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the front end of a trailer showing a furtheralternative shield assembly according to the invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 3, a trailer frame I carries a trailerbody 2 and at the front end is connected by a ball hitch 3 to the bumper4 of an automobile 5. I

Immediately to the rear of the ball hitch 3, a transversely extendingsupport bracket 6 is secured on the frame 1. At each end, the supportbracket 6 is provided with journal pins 7 (see FIG. 3). A pair of shieldplates 8 are mounted on horizontal support arms 9 fabricated from squaresection tubing. At their inner ends,=the arms 9 are provided with lugs10 extending at right angles therefrom and joumalled on the pins 7. Acoil spring 11 extends along the bracket 6 and is secured at its endsbetween the inner ends of the arms 9 at positions forward of the pins 7.The bracket 6 is generally of box-section and the front wall 12 thereofdefines stop surfaces at each end against which the arms 9 are drawninto engagement by the action of the spring 11. The upper and lowerwalls of the bracket 6 are alsoapertured at each end at l3 to receiveretaining pins 14 conveniently secured to the bracket by chains 15 (seeFIG. 2). The pins 14 can be engaged in the apertures 13 to retain thearms 9 in a rearward position against the bias of the spring II asbest'seen at the right hand side of FIG. 3.

At intervals along the square section tubes forming the arms 9, alignedrectangular apertures are provided in the upper and lower faces throughwhich vertically movable bumper contact members 17 extend. The rearwalls of the arms 9 are provided with bushes I8 aligned with theapertures 16. At each bush 18, a threaded bolt 19 engages a threadedbore extending through the bush l8 and rear wall to clamp thecorresponding bumper contact member in a desired position.

It will be seen that in use, when the automobile 5 is making a turn withthe trailer in tow, the bumper 4 of the automobile will bear against.the bumper contact members (which are preadjusted to an appropriateheight) andswing' the shield member comprised by the arm 9 and shieldplates 8 rearwardly against the bias of the spring 11 to the dotted lineposition shown in FIG. 1 on the side to which the turn is being made. Asthe turn is completed and the vehicle and trailer combination return toan in line condition, the shield member will be drawn back by the springbias into the transverse position shown in FIG. 1.

In each of FIGS. 4 to 6, a trailer frame 1 having a body 2 and a hitch 3is shown connected to the bumper 4 of an automobile 5 in the same manneras FIG. 1.

In FIG. 4, transverse support bracket 6 is provided which isconstructionally identical to that of FIG. 3 except that it is ofgreater length in order to straddle the central portio, where it issecured. At each end, the support bracket 6 has pivoted thereto theinner end of a horizontal support arm 20, the inner ends of the supportarms being identical in construction to those of the arms 9 of FIG. 3.Each of the arms 20 however extends through a right angle such that theouter end of the arm lies approximately transversely of the tow hitch 3.

A pair of shield plates 21 are mounted on square section stiffeningtubes 22 which carry journal brackets 23 on their rear faces. Thejournal brackets 23 are pivotally mounted on the outer ends of the arms20. Coil springs 24 are provided between the arms 20 and the stiffeningtubes 22 to normally maintain the shield plates 21 at'right angles tothe arms 20 and generally in alignment with each other. The stiffeningtubes 22 are provided with bumper contact members 25 which are identicalin construction and mounting to the bumper contact members 17 of FIGS. 1to 3.

In use, and assuming the automobile 5 to be making a turn to the left,the bumper 4 will bear against the bumper contact members 25 and rockthe shield plate 21 together with the arm 20 rearwardly about the pivotprovided in the bracket 6, generally as shown in broken lines. Duringthis movement, the springs 24 deflect to allow the shield plate 21 toalign with the bumper 4. When the vehicle reassumes an in line positionwith the trailer, the arm 20 returns to the position shown in FIG. 4under the influence of the spring enclosed in the bracket 6 in the samemanner as described above with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment according to the invention in which atransverse crossbar 30 is mounted on the trailer frame 1 forwardly ofthe body 2. At each end of the crossbar 30, a cylinder 31 is mountedparallel to the longitudinal axis of the trailer. Each cylinder '31contains a coil spring bearing against the head 33 of a connecting rod34 which extends through the front end 35 of the cylinder. The front end35 is of reduced diameter so as to retain the head 33 within thecylinder. The front end 35 is also provided with a transverse bore 36with which a corresponding bore 37 in the connecting rod can be aligned,a retaining pin 38 is also provided which is engageable through thebores 36 and 37 to retain the connecting rod in a retracted positionagainst the bias of the spring 32. t

A pair of shield plates 21 mounted on square section stiffening tubes 22have journal brackets 23 pivoted to the leading ends of the connectingrods 34 in an identical manner to those of the construction of FIG. 4.Coil return springs 24 are also provided between the connecting rod andthe stiffening tube to normally maintain the pair of shield plates 21 intransverse alignment. The stiffening tubes are also provided withvertically adjustable bumper contact members 25 as previously describedwith reference to FIG. 4.

In use, when the turning vehicle 5 commences a turn, the bumper 4 abutsthe bumper contact members 25 on the side to which the turn is beingmade and causes rotation of the shield plate 21 about the pivot at theend of the connecting rod 34. The spring 32 is simultaneously subjectedto compression as the connecting rod is forced rearwardly. As thevehicle and trailer re turn to an in line position subsequent to theturn, the spring 32 returns the connecting rod and shield plate to itsoriginal position whilst the springs 24 cause the shield plate toreassume its transversely aligned position.

HO. 6 shows a third embodiment according to the invention. A curvedcylinder 40 forming a segment of a circle is mounted on the frame 1. Thecylinder 40 contains a coil spring 41 maintained under compression bythe heads 42 provided at the rear ends of a pair of connecting rods 43.The ends 44 of the cylinder are of reduced diameter to retain the heads42 within the cylinder. The ends 44 are also provided with transversebores 45 with which corresponding transverse bores 36 in the piston rodscan be aligned. Retaining pins 47 are provided which can be engaged withthe bores 45 and 46 to retain the connecting rods 43 in a retractedposition against the compression of spring 41.

A pair of shield plates 21 mounted on square section stiffening tubes 22are pivoted by means of journal brackets 23 mounted on the stiffeningtubes, to the leading ends of the connecting rods 43. The shield plates21 are maintained in transverse alignment by means of coil springs 24connected between the connecting rods 43 and the stiffenig tubes 22.Bumper contact members 25 are provided in the stiffening tubes in thesame manner as described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. i

In use, when towing vehicle 5 commences a turn, the bumper 4 abuts thepair of bumper contact members 25 on the side to which the turn is beingmade so that the shield plate 21 is swung into alignment with thebumper. The connecting rod 43 is simultaneously moved rearwardly againstthe bias of spring 41. Upon return of the vehicle and trailer to analigned position, the springs 41 and 24 cause return of the assembly tothe position shown in FIG. 6.

It will be evident that in all of the arrangements proposed, each shieldmember can be separately mounted on the trailer and provided withseparate spring biasing means for urging it into the forward position.

We claim:

1. A splash and stone shield assembly for a trailer body, comprising,

at least one shield member,

support means for mounting each shield member on a frame portion of thetrailer forwardly of the trailer body and for movement relative to thetrailer between a rearward retracted position and a forward shieldingposition, and

resilient means for normally urging each shield member into the forwardposition.

2. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 1 and furthercomprising a plurality of vertically adjustable bumper contact membersand clamping means on said shield member for clamping said contactmembers in preselected positions for engagement with the bumper of thetowing vehicle.

3. A splash and stone shield assembly asclaimed in claim 1, andcomprising a pair of shield members extending transversely of thetrailer, substantially in alignment.

4. A splash and stone shield assembly for a trailer body as claimed inclaim 3, and comprising a pair of shield plates each mounted on ahorizontal support arm, a support bracket adapted to be mountedtransversely on the trailer frame portion and having journals at eachside in which the inner ends of said support arms are mounted formovement about vertical axes, said support brackets further comprisingstops for limiting the forward movement of said shield plates andsupport arms from mutually aligned positions, and spring means biasingsaid support arms into engagement with said stops.

5. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 4, whereinsaid spring means comprises a coil spring connected between said supportarms forwardly of said journals.

6. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 4, whereinsaid support bracket is formed at each side with apertures for receivinga retaining pin, and wherein said assembly further comprises retainingpins engageable in said apertures for retaining said shield membersintheir rearward positions.

7. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 4, whereinsaid shield plates are pivotally mounted at the outer ends of saidsupport arms, return spring means being provided whereby each shieldplate and support arm are normally maintained at right angles, andwherein said support arms extend through an angle such that the shieldplates lie inthe same plane when in their forward positions.

8. A splash and stone shield as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a pairof shield plates, a pair of connecting rods each pivoted at one end tothe rear face of a shield plate, return spring means normallymaintaining the shield plates at right angles to said end of the connecting rods, cylinder means receiving and supporting the other end of eachconnecting rod, coil spring means biasing each connecting rod forwardlywithin the cylinder means to normally locate the shield plates in theiraligned forward positions and means for mounting the cylinder means onthe trailer frame.

9. A splash'and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 8, whereinsaid cylinder and connecting rods are provided with apertures which arealigned when the shield plates are in their rearward positions, andwherein said assembly further comprises retaining pins engageable insaid apertures.

10. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 9, whereineach connecting rod is received in a separate cylinder in axial abutmentwith a separate coil spring under compression.

11. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 9, whereinthe connecting rods are curved to conform with a segment of a circle,and wherein a correspondingly curved cylinder is provided having a coilspring therein, said connecting rods being received in opposite ends ofsaid cylinder so as to be subjected to outward bias by said coil spring.

* i i 1 i

1. A splash and stone shield assembly for a trailer body, comprising, at least one shield member, support means for mounting each shield member on a frame portion of the trailer forwardly of the trailer body and for movement relative to the trailer between a rearward retracted position and a forward shielding position, and resilient means for normally urging each shield member into the forward position.
 2. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of vertically adjustable bumper contact members and clamping means on said shield member for clamping said contact members in preselected positions for engagement with the bumper of the towing vehicle.
 3. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 1, and comprising a pair of shield members extending transversely of the trailer, substantially in alignment.
 4. A splash and stone shield assembly for a trailer body as claimed in claim 3, and comprising a pair of shield plates each mounted on a horizontal support arm, a support bracket adapted to be mounted transversely on the trailer frame portion and having journals at each side in which the inner ends of said support arms are mounted for movement about vertical axes, said support brackets further comprising stops for limiting the forward movement of said shield plates and support arms from mutually aligned positions, and spring means biasing said support arms into engagement with said stops.
 5. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said spring means coMprises a coil spring connected between said support arms forwardly of said journals.
 6. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said support bracket is formed at each side with apertures for receiving a retaining pin, and wherein said assembly further comprises retaining pins engageable in said apertures for retaining said shield members in their rearward positions.
 7. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said shield plates are pivotally mounted at the outer ends of said support arms, return spring means being provided whereby each shield plate and support arm are normally maintained at right angles, and wherein said support arms extend through an angle such that the shield plates lie in the same plane when in their forward positions.
 8. A splash and stone shield as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a pair of shield plates, a pair of connecting rods each pivoted at one end to the rear face of a shield plate, return spring means normally maintaining the shield plates at right angles to said end of the connecting rods, cylinder means receiving and supporting the other end of each connecting rod, coil spring means biasing each connecting rod forwardly within the cylinder means to normally locate the shield plates in their aligned forward positions and means for mounting the cylinder means on the trailer frame.
 9. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cylinder and connecting rods are provided with apertures which are aligned when the shield plates are in their rearward positions, and wherein said assembly further comprises retaining pins engageable in said apertures.
 10. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein each connecting rod is received in a separate cylinder in axial abutment with a separate coil spring under compression.
 11. A splash and stone shield assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the connecting rods are curved to conform with a segment of a circle, and wherein a correspondingly curved cylinder is provided having a coil spring therein, said connecting rods being received in opposite ends of said cylinder so as to be subjected to outward bias by said coil spring. 